Alzheimer's disease is more severe than the mild memory loss that many people experience as they grow older. Alzheimer's disease affects behavior, personality, the ability to think clearly and the ability to carry out daily activities. Close family members usually notice symptoms first, although the person affected may realize that something is wrong.

Causes
It is not clear why these changes in the brain occur, but research to discover the cause of Alzheimer's disease is ongoing. Although most people who develop Alzheimer's disease do not have a family history of the condition, you are at increased risk for the condition if a member of your family has it.

Symptoms
Typical early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:

• Memory loss
• Inability to use judgment and make decisions
• Confusion about what time and day it is
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Difficulty learning and remembering new information
• Difficulty expressing himself or herself
• Decreasing ability to perform everyday tasks like cooking a meal or paying bills

As the disease progresses, the symptoms get worse. The person may develop strange new behaviors and withdraw from family and friends. Hallucinations, delusions and paranoia are common; some people may become verbally or physically aggressive or abusive. Eventually, the person may forget how to perform basic tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, using the toilet or getting up from a bed or chair and walking.

How it is diagnosed
Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed after a careful medical history and physical examination, evaluation of the person's mental and functional status and selected lab tests and imaging tests, such as Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) scans, to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. Imaging tests may identify subtle changes in structures of the brain that may relate to Alzheimer's disease, but they may not provide enough evidence for diagnosis.

Treatment
While there is not yet a cure for Alzheimer's disease, much can be done to maintain quality of life and help the person stay active. Treatment focuses on several areas, including improving memory and daily functioning, dealing with new and unusual behaviors and treating other conditions that commonly occur with Alzheimer's disease such as depression. Medications, including cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine, may temporarily improve memory and thinking problems. Other treatment includes making sure the home is safe and providing supportive care as the condition worsens.

Since the average life span has increase over the years, Alzheimer's disease is becoming a more common problem. If you are a caregiver for a spouse or a parent with Alzheimer's disease, the demands can be physically, emotionally and financially draining. With support, education and planning, caregivers may find ways of making life easier for the person they take care of and for themselves.